Eastbourne woman fined £100 for parking for 30 minutes due to 'unclear signs'

Sam Baum, 51, was fined £100 for overstaying in the Sovereign Harbour Retail Car Park and claims the signs made it unclear.

Sam was parked by the B&M, but believed the parking restrictions in that zone of the car park allowed you to stay for a maximum of three hours. She then went to McDonald’s, which is on the side of the car park where there is a different parking restriction.

She said: “When I first got the email, I thought it must be a mistake, maybe there was an issue with the software. But then after I spoke to the Councillor Ali Dehdashty I discovered they have zoned the car park.

“I couldn’t believe it. No one I have spoken to thinks they would even think that would be a thing. Because everyone just assumes the whole car park is just one charge.”

The car park is owned by Euro Car Parks, we have approached them for a comment. There are two different signs in the car park that detail specific restrictions for the specific sections of the parking lot

Sam has appealed the fine and is waiting 28 days for the results of it. Even though she thinks nothing will come of it.

She added: “At the end of it I will just pay because I am scared they might take me to court. I don’t want to pay a massive bill but at the end of the day whether I like it or not there’s a sign.

“I feel like I am going to have to pay but I will do what I can before then.”